NABARD to Digitize 1,297 PACS in Jharkhand, Enhancing Rural Agricultural Services

Ranchi: National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) would computerise 1,297 primary agriculture credit societies (PACS) in the state in the second phase.There are 4,454 PACS in the state. NABARD has computerised 1,500 PACS in the state in the first phase.Chief general manager of NABARD Deepmala Ghosh said, “The computerisation, being conducted under the Ministry of Co-operation’s ‘Centrally Sponsored Project on Computerisation for PACS’, is a step towards making the PACS hub of activities in rural areas.”She stated that the computerized PACS have been provided hardware and the software adding they would be connected to the national grid to enable them perform various activities.Govt has planned to develop PACS as nodal service delivery point for govt schemes, including PM Fasal Bima Yojna, direct benefit transfer, provision of inputs like fertilizers and seeds, jan aushadhi kendra, petrol and gas dealership, customer service centers and rural godowns for storage of agriculture produce, which would increase the negotiating powers of the farmers.The farmers would also get faster and easier access to credit through the digitised loan processing.

NABARD is the nodal agency for PACS computerization, training of staff on using software and providing the technical support.Officials stated that PACS with land would also be identified for construction of godown with the help of loans and subsidy under various government schemes adding that NABARD has created Rs 100 crore fund under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund for the purpose.